Confessions – Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Four

You are not an African unless there is no family drama at a gathering. With us black South Africans family drama is set aside for when there are people to witness how functional your extended family is. This is when we feel best to express our displeasure towards each other. When God created humans he created Africans for the entertainment and dramatic factor. We surely know how to bring down the curtain at any event. Get this, my father had been coming to this house all week and now at the finish line they had turned on him. This was the time they had chosen to humiliate with him. It was almost choreographed the way this had happened. They had set him up that much I do not doubt. It was scary and unnerving. A toothless man led the charge threatening to bash the car windows. He was saying that my father had disrespected this family in so many ways so for him to just waltz into the yard like that showed that he was full of himself. He was not shouting obscenities at least but everything he said to my father I am certain hit home because it was that deep. I thought they would mob justice us but it did not happen. As soon as we were a safe distance away the mob chasing us down stopped and turned back. It was not a sudden departure, no, the people were still hackling and pointing at us. The loud uncle shouted back at my father and said,
“Watch another man bury your own grandchild!”
I could see my father’s heart sink! That really hurt him. I thought we would drive back since we had been so thoroughly rejected but this did not happen. Instead, my father went and parked by the last car.

Whilst were were sitting there I saw Thabo, my ex boyfriend enter. I did say he was somehow related to Dumi. He did not see us which was fortunate for me because it would have been rather odd. We sat there for three hours, I kid you not, three hours and we did not enter. When I got thirsty I was too scared to go buy water from a tuckshop I am certain I had seen on our way into this place. When you go to a township you hardly know, as a girl you do not want to walk alone. Its scary especially when those boys that sit at corners start whistling at you and try follow you home. They always do. My cousin, whom I still had not spoken to since yesterday because of her betrayal had no such qualms. She got out of the car and went to get us water when my father asked. If it was any other day I would have refused her water but I was so thirsty. I still had a bit of battery so I found myself chatting to Tswelelo. She was inside the service she said and told me that she had seen all that happened. She said she was sorry, no one deserves that. I had not spoken to her in a while. She more like my mentor to be honest, always there to give sisterly advice. I asked if I could see her at some point because it had been a while and she had no problem with that. After about three hours like I said the people inside came out and started to leave. I saw some who had been part of those people that tried to mob us. They walked past the car without giving us a second look. No one cared anymore. It was as though we were irrelevant. Eventually that uncle of theirs who had been most vocal came out of the gate. He looked towards and stared. He then spit into the ground as though showing disgust, got into a blue Nissan skyline and sped off!

For a moment I thought my father would try get into the house but he didn’t. I think he had proven his point so I felt there was no need for him to do that. To my father’s credit, as the last car came out he drove out as well. We had waited for the very last minute for us to leave. This was so unreal but for the first time in a long time I felt sorry for my father in so many ways. In a way I understood where the family came from because he had indeed left them high and dry. They were justified in their anger. However, this man was my father and to see him be humiliated like that really hurt me. It was painful in so many ways. We drove home in silence. Nozipho in her wisdom had fallen asleep which was fine by me. When we got home my father just walked out the car and walked into the house a very defeated man.

I have to say men do not appreciate what it means to a woman when you leave her behind to chase after another woman especially if you have kids and a home with her. It has to be painful and often a sign of failure for the woman. To be replaced is not a nice thing and that is essentially what my mother had done to Sebos mother. Imagine they already had a home and kids when my father decided that this was not enough for him and he left all that to go to another. I doubt he will be welcome in my house too had we done that.

When I walked into the house my mother was asking him how it went. I heard my father say everything went perfectly. I was stumped. We had been to the same event right? I guess he did not want my mother to bring up her I told you so voice or face. My mother had this way of rubbing it in that was just unique to her! He said he was tired and needed to take a nap. My mother let him go.

When I got to my room I was exhausted. I just fell on my bed and I slept. I don’t what time it was when I was woken up by my phone vibrating. It was a message from Sibongile and it read,

“My father has thrown my mother and I out. He has never done this before and she says we must not come back!”

I was not sure whether to celebrate their freedom or mourn that they had lost their home. It was sad though!

****The End****

@diaryofazulugal
Mikeatdiary
Michael Nkululeko Maphoto

Dear Mike

I hope this finds you well. I am 17 and in grade 11 in Cape Town. My best friend and I seem to always fall for the same guy. The problem is she is prettier than me and no matter what happens or who was there first my guys seem to want her as well after they meet her. Often she turns them down but am starting to hate her as she seems to take all my guys or potential guys. I don’t know what to do because now am even scared to date. We are neighbors and our parents are extremely close. I can’t tell her to back off because its them that like her not her going to them.

Please advise me before I strangle her for ruining my relationships.

Thank You

Sybil